Live music in Hillsville, VA

Rodney Dillard and The Dillards bring their bluegrass to Mayberry Days at the Andy Griffith Playhouse, featuring songs heard on The Andy Griffith Show along with the band's own hits. Rodney Dillard, one of the original Darling Boys from the series, is an International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame inductee and a two-time Grammy nominee. The performance highlights their unmistakable Dillardgrass sound. Tickets are $50 or $45.

Tim White & Troublesome Hollow bring spirited bluegrass and Americana to the Historic Earle Theatre. The long-running trio from Hickory Tree, Tennessee features Tim White on banjo, guitar, and vocals, Donnie Ollis on guitar and vocals, and Garry Ollis on upright bass and vocals. Their performance ranges from driving traditional bluegrass to newgrass, old time tunes, heartfelt ballads, Americana, and moments of comedy. The band has released six recordings and has appeared on numerous television programs, including PBS’s Song of the Mountains. Tim White has hosted Song of the Mountains since its 2005 launch and also leads the nationally syndicated The Tim White Bluegrass Show, heard on more than 60 stations. Tickets are $20 and $15.

Michael Hoover returns to Mayberry Days for a lively tribute to Elvis Presley, with special guest Denise Glass portraying Patsy Cline. Expect fan favorites ranging from Elvis's cherished gospel numbers to the rock and roll hits that crowned him the King. The show runs 90 minutes, and Denise Glass joins the program for featured selections. Presented at the Historic Earle Theatre. Tickets are $20, $25, or $30.

At the Andy Griffith Playhouse, Mayberry Melodies spotlights the music woven through The Andy Griffith Show. Expect familiar favorites alongside rarely heard treasures, with stories that reveal how songs were chosen for the series and even the surprise that the famous theme has lyrics. Across eight seasons the show featured 117 songs, and this concert explores their legacy in a lively, narrative-driven format. A band of seasoned pickers and singers with worldwide experience brings these tunes to the stage, from melodies that were picked and sung to those that were whistled or hummed. Tickets are $30 or $25.

The Jeff Little Trio blends Appalachian roots with a forward-looking spark, delivering energetic performances driven by Jeff Little’s virtuosic piano. Award-winning musicians Steve Lewis and Luke Little add intricate layers on acoustic guitar, five string banjo, and mandolin, shaping a sound that honors tradition while embracing new ideas. Their credits span major stages including the Smithsonian Institution, the National Folk Festival, American Piano Masters, and The Barns of Wolf Trap, along with many theaters, performing arts centers, and festivals. Jeff has been featured many times on NPR and PBS, and he has carried this music worldwide for the U.S. Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs with performances in Sri Lanka, Bahrain, Pakistan, Oman, France, and Tanzania. He was inducted into the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame in 2014, and NPR has praised him as both deeply rooted in the Blue Ridge and a bold, virtuosic innovator. Steve Lewis is a decorated guitarist and banjo player with championship wins at MerleFest, RenoFest, and the Wayne Henderson Guitar Competition, as well as Walnut Valley National Championships on guitar and two titles on the banjo. Luke Little is an accomplished mandolinist recognized for his refined style, with appearances at the National Folk Festival, Virginia Tech’s Moss Center for the Performing Arts, MerleFest Mandomania, and the Montana Folk Festival.

At the Andy Griffith Playhouse, the Mayberry Melodies Gospel Show celebrates the rich tradition of faith-based songs heard on TAGS, highlighting how meaningful this music was to Andy. The program features cherished selections from TAGS alongside other gospel numbers and contemporary favorites, presented live with an uplifting spirit. The experience is designed to leave listeners energized and encouraged. Tickets are $30 and $25.